Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,652/yr fall 21% below the $34,873 national median for International Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in International Studies's typical career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,652 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #79 of 81 International Studies programs, The New School falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $45,612 show a 65% jump from the $27,652 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.